Music Lessons in Woodland, CA

Instruments: Guitar

Everyone learns differently, so I adjust my teaching to every student I take in. However, I strive to help my students master the fundamentals so that they can begin paving their own musical path. I enjoy all types of music and encourage my students to pursuit their interests as I find it motivating for them when facing new musical challenges. My main teaching method is to encourage persistent practice (especially for beginners) as it will help develop muscle memory in the fingers. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele Keyboard

My teaching experience dates all the way back to early high school, when I taught piano lessons to kids in my local neighborhood. In college, I continued teaching as a part time job while at home during the summers, and when I returned home from touring, I taught at several studios in the Sacramento area, teaching private voice and piano, and classes I designed curriculum for, such as Musical Theatre for Beginners, "We Sing Disney", and Singing for Ages 8-12. Read More

Instruments: Drums

When it comes to young children: it is 100% keeping them participating and keeping them having fun. Drums and Cymbals are particularly fun and perhaps the most instrument to play. Playing in sync with each other, color coding targets, keeping time and basic rhythm concepts are my way of keeping children 4-9 involved and wanting to learn more. These are sometimes things so basic you can help them practice at home. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

If you’ve tried and failed, or even if you’ve never touched a piano, Smiley can teach you. And, you’ll have fun doing it because with my easy approach to learning, you will start playing the songs you like from day one, not practicing endless scales all the time, and boring music language that would be difficult to understand the first day. With my easy learning how to play approach, you would lean your first song and be able to play it, over and over until you learn a new song to share. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

I begin teaching from piano books published by Alfred. I also have the student learn their scales as well as give a weekly written music theory assignment. I incorporate styles and songs the student enjoys listening to or playing as well. I like to teach classical music. With this foundation, ALL other music is much easier to play, and helps tremendously with their sight reading skills. Performance recitals are recommended, but not required. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute

Various styles: Big Band Jazz, R B/Gospel, Salsa, pop rock, ska circus pit band. Also extensive session work in Los Angeles; soundtrack and album projects. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For children, I begin with Donald Waxman's Pageant for Piano series. The pieces are quite fun, and also good for technique. The illustrations also offer many opportunities for story-making and engagement. For adults, I begin with James Bastien's The Older Beginner Piano course, and for intermediate learners, supplement it with pieces from Bartok's Mikrokosmos, Czerny, Kabalevsky, Burgmuller's 24 Etudes, duets and various other literature as appropriate. Improvisational skills may also be taught. Read More